Learning the Steps to the Cha Cha: A Dance Tutorial

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Learn to do a basic cha cha dance with this guide

Co-authored by Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo

Last Updated: November 26, 2024

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Doing a Prep Step

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Doing a Basic Step

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Trying a Side Basic Step

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Looking Professional

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

The cha cha is one of the most popular dances out there, and it can be a lot of fun to do. Learning a basic prep step will make the beginning of your dance look professional. You can perform a basic cha cha step to any upbeat song in 4/4 time. Switch up your dance by adding in a side step once in a while, and you’ll look like a pro in no time!

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Starting with a Prep Step

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Understanding the syncopated step (4 and 1) is key to executing a good cha cha.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo
Professional Latin Dance Instructors

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} Your feet should be together when you begin, with your left foot popped up slightly so that you are balancing on the ball of your foot. Most of your weight should be supported by your right foot.^{[2]
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Keep your right foot in the same place, and step out to the left, just past the width of your shoulders. As you step to the left, let your hips follow your foot. Your left hip should be popped out slightly to the left side, just over your left foot.

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Once your left foot is popped out, lightly slide your right foot across the floor to meet your left foot. Then slide your right foot behind you. As you slide your right foot back, lift your left foot up slightly. ^{[3]
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Once your right foot is in place behind you, rock forward so that your weight shifts from your right foot to your left foot. Then bring your right foot up to meet it. This is the main starting position for the cha cha.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Performing a Basic Cha Cha Step

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1
Start with a triple step. Your feet should be together. Pop your right foot up slightly, but keep the ball of your foot on the floor. Lower your right heel to the floor as your raise your left foot up. Then lower your left heel to the floor and raise your right heel. Repeat once more on the right side.
- The rhythm of this step is the "cha cha cha" that gives the dance its name. It should take two beats of whatever song you're dancing to.
- You should end with your right heel on the floor and your left heel lifted off the floor slightly, resting on the ball of your foot.
- This triple step is one of the most basic cha cha steps, so it’s important that you practice it.
2
Take a rock step forward with your left foot. Don’t take a huge step – your left foot should only extend about a foot in front of you. As you step forward, your right heel should come up off the floor as you rock onto the ball of your right foot.
- This step should happen on the third beat of the song.
- The rocking step should be pretty smooth. Both of your feet should always be partially touching the floor as you transfer your weight from one foot to the other.
3
Perform a rock step from your right to left foot. Rock your right foot back so that your heel is on the floor again. As you do this, bring your left foot back to meet your right foot in the starting position.^{[5]
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- This step should happen on the fourth beat of whatever song you're dancing to.
Once you replace your left foot, repeat the triple step, beginning with your left foot this time.^{[6]
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5
Rock step backward with your right foot. Extend your right leg back so that the ball of your foot touches the floor. As your rock backward and your right heel takes your weight, lift your left foot up so that the ball of your foot comes off the floor and your heel stays in place. Then rock back onto your left foot and bring your right leg back to starting position.^{[7]
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- It is good to learn cross body lead, basic ladies turn, and the basic step to get started.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo
  Professional Latin Dance Instructors
  
  Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.}

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Trying a Side Basic Step

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The side basic step starts with the same basic prep step as the basic Cha Cha step. Stand with your feet together, then slide your left foot out to the side, transferring your weight there. Slide your right foot toward your left and then back, rocking back so it takes your weight, lifting your left foot in the process. Then rock back forward, letting your left foot take your weight again.^{[9]
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Instead of bringing your right foot back to meet your left foot and returning to starting position, bring your right foot up to your left foot and then out to the side. Your right foot should be just wider than shoulder width.^{[10]
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Transfer the weight of your body to your right foot, and lightly slide your left foot to meet your right. You should pop up your right foot as your left meets it.^{[11]
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Once your feet have returned to starting position, transfer the weight of your body to your left foot and step out to the right again, taking the weight of your body.^{[12]
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With your right foot still out slightly, step diagonally with your left foot, so your feet are closer than shoulder width apart but your left foot is in front of your right. Place your left foot on the ground, rocking forward so your right heel lifts up. Then rock back onto your right foot, returning your left foot to the starting position.^{[13]
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Bearing your weight on your right foot, step to the left. Then lift your right foot off the ground so just the ball of your foot maintains contact. Then slide your right foot to your left so they’re together, taking the weight on your right foot. Then step to the left one more time.^{[14]
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Transfer your weight to your left foot, and step back with your right. Once your right heel hits the floor, lift your left foot slightly so only your heel makes contact. As you move your right foot forward again, step out to the right and repeat the side step.^{[15]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Making Your Cha Cha Look Professional

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You may learn the dance for social or competitive purposes.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo
Professional Latin Dance Instructors

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} The motion in your hips is one of the most important components of the Cha Cha. Your hips should move to follow your feet. Move your hips to the left as you pop your left foot out. Roll them back and to the right to follow your foot back.
If you’re dancing the Cha Cha alone, your arms will be loose without a partner to hold onto. Feel free to keep moving them to the rhythm of the music, following your hips as you move them match your feet.
If you’re a woman, wear a skirt or dress that’s flowy with a lot of movement. You can also wear a scarf around your hips to accentuate their movement. Men can wear long pants with a high waist to accentuate the length of their legs. Men and women should both wear dancing shoes.

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What are the steps to do the cha cha?

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Move your right foot back, then bring it back. Side skip (put your right foot to the right side, then quickly bring the left foot to it, and repeat 3 times). Bring your left foot forwards, then place it next to your right foot. Side skip on your left 3 times and repeat.

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Is the cha cha part of ballet?

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This has nothing to do with ballet, except that it is danced to classical music. It is faster and doesn't require standing on toes with point shoes.

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During the basic II step, where does the heel come down on the beat?

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Your heel should always come down on the second beat of the rhythm. Most songs that you can dance the cha cha to are in 4/4 time, with 4 beats per measure. You should step forward (or back) on the first beat, put your heel down on the second, and "cha cha cha" over the third and fourth.

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Tips

If you’re dancing with a partner, the female partner should start with her left foot bearing here weight and her right foot popped. The male partner should start with his right foot bearing the weight and his left foot popped.

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Dancing to music can help you to learn the rhythms required for a good Cha Cha. A good song for Cha Cha is “Sway” by Michael Buble.

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Practice as much as you can. The step pattern for even a basic Cha Cha is pretty complicated, and you’ll probably need lots of practice to get really good. If you can get a partner to dance with you, even better.

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